i almost joined the Marines when i was about 20 years old. my father was a staff sgt in the army and i thought it would be good to join the service too. i signed up, got my cousin signed up and we, and a bunch of other potential recruits, were taken down to the MCRD in San Diego (which i heard they may close...). we spent the night there and were woken up at about 5am and had to run our out-of-shape asses off and were yelled out etc...
i was like "oh hell no this isnt for me" i was already working full time as a teacher's assistant, paying bills and half way done with college. not to mention, i already spent my first 20 years being yelled at by a "wannabe drill sgt." i knew what i was getting into but didnt
really think about it..
i was scared to death of the physical demands and the committment. plus, i had been taking meds for depression. i knew this wasnt going to be for me (no matter how much i would have wanted it to). i had already signed up, sworn in, and got my ship date. well, it was about a month before i was to be "shipped" off when i told the recruiter i had changed my mind. my father had told me that congress(?) had made it so you can back out until you step onto the bus. the head recruiter, who was a really nice guy, took me aside and told me in a calm but serious voice that if didnt get on that bus he would call the school i worked at and tell them i was a child molester and do everything he could to make my life miserable.
i got home and told my dad. he wasnt happy as you can imagine. he called and spoke with the head recruiter who denied everything of course. he said the paperwork would go through as soon as he could. my dad called a week later about it and the guy continued to give him the run-around. my dad simply stated, "do i need to have a congressional investigation?"
after that, the guy simply said in a shocked voice "no sir, definitely not. the paperwork will be back tomorrow." and that was it.
my dad told me that if he were to call his local congressman and demand a congressional investigation it would be hell for those guys. TONS of paperwork to fill out and what not. he said he's seen guys get it in the army and it was a beyotch.
anyway, just my lovely little recruiter story. yes, i did flake/chicken out which apparently lose them some recruiter points but that jerk was way out of line.
